Contents

Chapter 27

And thou shalt make an altar of shittim wood, five cubits long, and five cubits broad; the altar shall be foursquare: and the height thereof shall be three cubits.

Make an altar of acacia wood, five cubits long and five cubits wide. The altar must be square and three cubits high.

2

And thou shalt make the horns of it upon the four corners thereof: his horns shall be of the same: and thou shalt overlay it with brass.

Make horns for it, to be set at the corners, each of them identical. Overlay the whole construct with copper.

Copper is the metal of judgment. This altar has everything to do with judgment.

Every translation of the Bible has assumed that the metal used to build this altar, and certain other parts and furnishings of the Tabernacle, was antique bronze—or brass, which is not an antique alloy. But the Temple Institute of Jerusalem insists that the metal was pure copper—exactly as the original Hebrew translates.

3

And thou shalt make his pans to receive his ashes, and his shovels, and his basons, and his fleshhooks, and his firepans: all the vessels thereof thou shalt make of brass.

Make all its accessories in copper: the ash pans, the shovels, the sprinkling bowls, the flesh hooks, and the fire pans.

More concise expression, describing the accessories for an altar where burnt offerings were made.

4

And thou shalt make for it a grate of network of brass; and upon the net shalt thou make four brasen rings in the four corners thereof.

Make a grate of copper mesh for it; and attach four copper rings to this lattice at the corners.

5

And thou shalt put it under the compass of the altar beneath, that the net may be even to the midst of the altar.

Set it beneath the altar's top edge, so that it is centered beneath it.

6

And thou shalt make staves for the altar, staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with brass.

Make poles for the altar, formed from acacia wood, and overlay them with copper.

7

And the staves shall be put into the rings, and the staves shall be upon the two sides of the altar, to bear it.

Insert the poles into the rings, and set them on both sides of the altar, to carry it.

8

Hollow with boards shalt thou make it: as it was shewed thee in the mount, so shall they make it.

Make the altar with hollow boards. They are to build it exactly as I showed you on the mountain.

9

And thou shalt make the court of the tabernacle: for the south side southward there shall be hangings for the court of fine twined linen of an hundred cubits long for one side:

Make the border of the tabernacle courtyard. For the southern side, make hangings four the court made of corded cambric sheen, one hundred cubits long.

10

And the twenty pillars thereof and their twenty sockets shall be of brass; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets shall be of silver.

Make twenty columns for this hanging, and twenty sockets to hold them, all in copper. The hooks and moldings of these columns are to be made of silver.

Fillets are molding, in the architectural context. The literal Hebrew translates as "connections."

11

And likewise for the north side in length there shall be hangings of an hundred cubits long, and his twenty pillars and their twenty sockets of brass; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver.

Likewise for the north side, make hangings of one hundred cubits in length, supported by twenty columns and sockets formed of copper, with hooks and molding made of silver.

12

And for the breadth of the court on the west side shall be hangings of fifty cubits: their pillars ten, and their sockets ten.

For the span of the court's west side, makie hangings of fifty cubits in length, supported by ten columns and sockets.

13

And the breadth of the court on the east side eastward shall be fifty cubits.

The width of the courtyard on the east side shall be fifty cubits.

14

The hangings of one side of the gate shall be fifteen cubits: their pillars three, and their sockets three.

The hangings for one side of the gate must be fifteen cubits long, supported by three columns and sockets.

15

And on the other side shall be hangings fifteen cubits: their pillars three, and their sockets three.

On the other side, make hangings fifteen cubits in length, supported by three columns and sockets.

16

And for the gate of the court shall be an hanging of twenty cubits, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, wrought with needlework: and their pillars shall be four, and their sockets four.

For the gate of the court, make a gateway hanging twenty cubits long, made of corded cambric-sheen in violet, deep purple, and crimson, and covered with embroidery. Support this with four columns and sockets.

17

All the pillars round about the court shall be filleted with silver; their hooks shall be of silver, and their sockets of brass.

All the columns surrounding the court shall have silver molding; their hooks shall be made of silver, and their sockets made of copper.

18

The length of the court shall be an hundred cubits, and the breadth fifty every where, and the height five cubits of fine twined linen, and their sockets of brass.

The length of the court shall be a hundred cubits, and the width fifty, and the height five cubits, to be covered with corded cambric-sheen, supported on copper sockets.

19

All the vessels of the tabernacle in all the service thereof, and all the pins thereof, and all the pins of the court, shall be of brass.

All the vessels used in service for this tabernacle, including all of the pegs inside, and all pegs used in the court, shall be made of copper.

20

And thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always.

Instruct the Sons of Israel to bring you pure lamp oil pressed from olives, enough for the lamp to remain lit at all times.

This oil needed to come from the first pressing.

21

In the tabernacle of the congregation without the vail, which is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall order it from evening to morning before the LORD: it shall be a statute for ever unto their generations on the behalf of the children of Israel.

In the tabernacle of the congregation, beyond the curtain that protects the Ark of the Covenant, Aaron and his sons shall order the lamp to be lit from evening until morning before the Lord: it shall be an unending ordinance for their descendants to follow on behalf of the Sons of Israel.

Chapter 28

Verse

King James Version

Proposed Conservative Translation

Analysis

1

And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons.

Take as your student your brother Aaron, along with his sons, chosen from the Sons of Israel, that they may serve me as priests: Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons.

2

And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and for beauty.

Make garments of holiness for your brother Aaron, set apart for glory and beauty.

3

And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron's garments to consecrate him, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.

Take the most talented people, those who I filled with the best artistic skills, and tell them to make the garments for Aaron, so he can be my High Priest.

4

And these are the garments which they shall make; a breastplate, and an ephod, and a robe, and a broidered coat, a mitre, and a girdle: and they shall make holy garments for Aaron thy brother, and his sons, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.

The garmets they should make are a breastplate, an ephod, a robe, a tunic, a turban, and a sash. They will make these holy garments for your brother Aaron, and his sons, so that he may serve me in the capacity of High Priest.

The word ephod (אפוד) translates simply as "vestment." It is a very special vestment, better described than named.

5

And they shall take gold, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen.

They are to be made of gold, and violet, deep purple and crimson double-dipped corded cambric-sheen.

6

And they shall make the ephod of gold, of blue, and of purple, of scarlet, and fine twined linen, with cunning work.

They must make the ephod using gold, and violet, deep purple, and crimson double-dipped cambric-sheen, with skilled craftsmanship.

7

It shall have the two shoulderpieces thereof joined at the two edges thereof; and so it shall be joined together.

It will have two shoulderpieces joined at the two edges.

8

And the curious girdle of the ephod, which is upon it, shall be of the same, according to the work thereof; even of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen.

The special sash that holds the ephod, must be made of the same materials as the ephod itself.

9

And thou shalt take two onyx stones, and grave on them the names of the children of Israel:

Take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the Sons of Israel.

10

Six of their names on one stone, and the other six names of the rest on the other stone, according to their birth.

Engrave six names in one stone, and six names in the other one, in their birth order.

11

With the work of an engraver in stone, like the engravings of a signet, shalt thou engrave the two stones with the names of the children of Israel: thou shalt make them to be set in ouches of gold.

The engraving of the names in the stones will be made by a jeweller, as if he were engraving a seal. Set both stones in golden settings.

12

And thou shalt put the two stones upon the shoulders of the ephod for stones of memorial unto the children of Israel: and Aaron shall bear their names before the LORD upon his two shoulders for a memorial.

Mount them in the shoulders of the ephod, as memorials to remember the Sons of Israel. In that way, Aaron will carry their names before God on his shoulders, to remember them by.

13

And thou shalt make ouches of gold;

Make two golden settings.

14

And two chains of pure gold at the ends; of wreathen work shalt thou make them, and fasten the wreathen chains to the ouches.

Then make two rupe-like braids of pure gold, and put the braids around the settings.

15

And thou shalt make the breastplate of judgment with cunning work; after the work of the ephod thou shalt make it; of gold, of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine twined linen, shalt thou make it.

Next, make the Breastplate of Judgment with skilled handiwork, of the same quality as the ephod. Make it of gold, and from violet, deep purple, and crimson double-dipped corded cambric-sheen.

16

Foursquare it shall be being doubled; a span shall be the length thereof, and a span shall be the breadth thereof.

Make it square when doubled over, a handspan long and a handspan wide.

17

And thou shalt set in it settings of stones, even four rows of stones: the first row shall be a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this shall be the first row.

Carnelian is also called sard or sardius. The peridot is gem-quality olivine, and specifically forsterite (magnesium silicate). Note that God here specifies the gemstones for the twelve sons of Israel, in birth order.

And the fourth row a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper: they shall be set in gold in their inclosings.

In the fourth row: a yellow topaz, an onyx, and a jasper. Set each of these in gold.

This jasper was probably a brown silicate.

21

And the stones shall be with the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet; every one with his name shall they be according to the twelve tribes.

Engrave on these stones the names of the twelve sons of Israel. The engraving must be of signet-ring quality. Each stone will have the appropriate name on it according to the Twelve Tribes.

22

And thou shalt make upon the breastplate chains at the ends of wreathen work of pure gold.

Make the braids for the breastplate, at the ends, from pure gold, like ropes.

23

And thou shalt make upon the breastplate two rings of gold, and shalt put the two rings on the two ends of the breastplate.

Make two golden rings on the breastplate, and put the two rings on the two ends.

24

And thou shalt put the two wreathen chains of gold in the two rings which are on the ends of the breastplate.

Put the two rope-like golden braids into the two rings at the ends.

25

And the other two ends of the two wreathen chains thou shalt fasten in the two ouches, and put them on the shoulderpieces of the ephod before it.

Fasten the other two ends of the two rope-like braids into the two settings, and put them on the shoulderpieces of the ephod in front of it.

26

And thou shalt make two rings of gold, and thou shalt put them upon the two ends of the breastplate in the border thereof, which is in the side of the ephod inward.

Then make two golden rings, and set these on the two ends of the breastplate in its border, on the inner side of the ephod.

27

And two other rings of gold thou shalt make, and shalt put them on the two sides of the ephod underneath, toward the forepart thereof, over against the other coupling thereof, above the curious girdle of the ephod.

Make two other golden rings, and put these on the two sides of the ephod from below toward the front of it, next to the other coupling, above the sash of the ephod.

28

And they shall bind the breastplate by the rings thereof unto the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that it may be above the curious girdle of the ephod, and that the breastplate be not loosed from the ephod.

Tie the breastplate by its rings onto the ephod rings with violet twine, so that it will hang above the ephod sash, and the breastplate will not come loose from the ephod.

29

And Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment upon his heart, when he goeth in unto the holy place, for a memorial before the LORD continually.

Aaron will carry the names of the Sons of Israel in the breastplate of judgment over his heart, when he goes into the Holy Place, for a continual reminder before the LORD.

30

And thou shalt put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be upon Aaron's heart, when he goeth in before the LORD: and Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before the LORD continually.

Place inside the Breastplate of Judgment the Urim and the Thummim. They will rest on Aaron's heart, when he goes in before the LORD. Aaron will carry the judgment of the Sons of Israel on his heart before the LORD continually.

31

And thou shalt make the robe of the ephod all of blue.

Make the robe of the ephod entirely of violet material.

32

And there shall be an hole in the top of it, in the midst thereof: it shall have a binding of woven work round about the hole of it, as it were the hole of an habergeon, that it be not rent.

Put a slit in its top, centered. It is to be reinforced with embroidery around the slit as if it were the slit in a coat-of-mail, so that it will not rip.

33

And beneath upon the hem of it thou shalt make pomegranates of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, round about the hem thereof; and bells of gold between them round about:

Beneath, on its hem, make pomegranates of violet, deep purple, and crimson, all around its hem, and golden bells between them all around it.

34

A golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, upon the hem of the robe round about.

Alternate the golden bells with the pomegranate on the hem all around it.

The original Hebrew repeats this phrase twice for poetic effect.

35

And it shall be upon Aaron to minister: and his sound shall be heard when he goeth in unto the holy place before the LORD, and when he cometh out, that he die not.

Aaron will wear this as he ministers. The ringing of the bells will be heard when he goes in to the sanctuary in front of the LORD, and when he comes out, so that he will not die.

36

And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it, like the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD.

Make a blossom-like plate of pure gold, and engrave on it, like the engravings on a signet ring, the phrase HOLINESS TO THE LORD.

37

And thou shalt put it on a blue lace, that it may be upon the mitre; upon the forefront of the mitre it shall be.

Put this on a violent twine, so that it will hang on the turban, facing forward.

38

And it shall be upon Aaron's forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of Israel shall hallow in all their holy gifts; and it shall be always upon his forehead, that they may be accepted before the LORD.

This will rest on Aaron's forehead, so that Aaron may carry the depravity of the holy things that the Sons of Israel will sanctify in all of their holy gifts. This will always rest on his forehead, so that they may be acceptable in the sight of the LORD.

39

And thou shalt embroider the coat of fine linen, and thou shalt make the mitre of fine linen, and thou shalt make the girdle of needlework.

Mount the tunic of cambric-sheen, and make the turban from cambric-sheen, and make the sash from embroidery.

40

And for Aaron's sons thou shalt make coats, and thou shalt make for them girdles, and bonnets shalt thou make for them, for glory and for beauty.

Make tunics, sashes and caps for Aaron's sons, for glory and beauty.

41

And thou shalt put them upon Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him; and shalt anoint them, and consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office.

Put them on your brother Aaron, and his sons with him. Anoint them, and consecrate them, and sanctify them, so that they minister to Me in the capacity of priests.

The word rendered "consecrate" literally means "fill the hand."

42

And thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover their nakedness; from the loins even unto the thighs they shall reach:

Make linen undergarments for them, to cover them from the waist to the thighs.

43

And they shall be upon Aaron, and upon his sons, when they come in unto the tabernacle of the congregation, or when they come near unto the altar to minister in the holy place; that they bear not iniquity, and die: it shall be a statute for ever unto him and his seed after him.

Aaron and his sons are to wear these garments when they come into the tent of meeting, or when they come near to the altar to minister in the Holy Place, so that they will not bear depravity and die. This will be an ordinance forever for him and his descendants after him.

The priestly service was serious business. Nadab and Abihu would one day forget how serious it was, and die for it. Similarly, Korah the Mutineer would attempt to take the place of a priest, and die for that in his turn.

Chapter 29

Verse

King James Version

Proposed Conservative Translation

Analysis

1

And this is the thing that thou shalt do unto them to hallow them, to minister unto me in the priest's office: Take one young bullock, and two rams without blemish,

You will consecrate them, so they can serve me in the capacity of priests, in the following manner: take one young bullock from the herd, and two flawless rams,

2

And unleavened bread, and cakes unleavened tempered with oil, and wafers unleavened anointed with oil: of wheaten flour shalt thou make them.

and unleavened bread, and unleavened perforated cakes mixed with oil, and unleavened wafers rubbed in oil. Make these from wheat flour.

3

And thou shalt put them into one basket, and bring them in the basket, with the bullock and the two rams.

Put them onto a tray, and bring them on the tray, with the bullock and the two rams.

4

And Aaron and his sons thou shalt bring unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and shalt wash them with water.

Bring Aaron and his sons to the portiere of the tent of meeting, and wash them with water.

5

And thou shalt take the garments, and put upon Aaron the coat, and the robe of the ephod, and the ephod, and the breastplate, and gird him with the curious girdle of the ephod:

Then take the garments. Dress Aaron in the tunic, the ephod robe, the ephod, and the Breastplate of Judgment. Fasten [around his waist] the embroidered belt of the ephod.

6

And thou shalt put the mitre upon his head, and put the holy crown upon the mitre.

Set the turban on his head, and set the insigne of holiness in the turban.

7

Then shalt thou take the anointing oil, and pour it upon his head, and anoint him.

Then take the anointing oil, pour it on his head, and rub it in.

To anoint is to rub with an ointment.

8

And thou shalt bring his sons, and put coats upon them.

Bring his sons [forward], and dress them with tunics.

9

And thou shalt gird them with girdles, Aaron and his sons, and put the bonnets on them: and the priest's office shall be theirs for a perpetual statute: and thou shalt consecrate Aaron and his sons.

Put sashes on Aaron and his sons, and put caps on them. The office of priest shall always belong to them [and them alone]. This is how you are to consecrate Aaron and his sons.

10

And thou shalt cause a bullock to be brought before the tabernacle of the congregation: and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands upon the head of the bullock.

Now lead the bullock in front of the tent of meeting. Have Aaron and his sons lay their hands on the bullock's head.

11

And thou shalt kill the bullock before the LORD, by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

Kill the bullock in front of the LORD, by the portal of the tent of meeting.

12

And thou shalt take of the blood of the bullock, and put it upon the horns of the altar with thy finger, and pour all the blood beside the bottom of the altar.

Take the bullock's blood and smear it on the horns of the altar with your finger, and pour out all the blood next to the altar's foundation.

13

And thou shalt take all the fat that covereth the inwards, and the caul that is above the liver, and the two kidneys, and the fat that is upon them, and burn them upon the altar.

Take all the mesentery fat, the double ligament over the liver, the two kidneys, and the adrenal glands, and burn them on the altar.

Literally, "the fat that is on them." That fat contains the adrenal glands (literally, "glands next to the kidneys").

14

But the flesh of the bullock, and his skin, and his dung, shalt thou burn with fire without the camp: it is a sin offering.

But burn the muscle, skin, and dung of the bullock with fire outside the camp. That is a sin offering.

15

Thou shalt also take one ram; and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands upon the head of the ram.

You will then take a ram. Aaron and his sons must put their hands on the ram's head.

16

And thou shalt slay the ram, and thou shalt take his blood, and sprinkle it round about upon the altar.

And you will slay the ram, and take its blood and pour it around the altar.

17

And thou shalt cut the ram in pieces, and wash the inwards of him, and his legs, and put them unto his pieces, and unto his head.

And you will carve the ram into pieces, and you will wash its guts and legs and put them on its pieces and on its head.

18

And thou shalt burn the whole ram upon the altar: it is a burnt offering unto the LORD: it is a sweet savour, an offering made by fire unto the LORD.

You will burn the entire ram on the altar as a burnt sacrifice for the LORD, its scent will please the LORD.

19

And thou shalt take the other ram; and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands upon the head of the ram.

You will take the other ram. Aaron and his sons must put their hands on the ram's head.

20

Then shalt thou kill the ram, and take of his blood, and put it upon the tip of the right ear of Aaron, and upon the tip of the right ear of his sons, and upon the thumb of their right hand, and upon the great toe of their right foot, and sprinkle the blood upon the altar round about.

Then you will slaughter the ram and will take its blood and put it on the lobe of Aaron's ear and on the lobes of the rights ears of Aaron's sons and on their right thumbs and on the right toes of their feets, and then you will pour the blood around the altar.

21

And thou shalt take of the blood that is upon the altar, and of the anointing oil, and sprinkle it upon Aaron, and upon his garments, and upon his sons, and upon the garments of his sons with him: and he shall be hallowed, and his garments, and his sons, and his sons' garments with him.

You will take the blood from the altar and the anointing oil and pour it on Aaron and on his clothes and on his sons and on the clothes of his sons that there are with him, and he and his clothes and and the sons that are with him and their clothes will be consecrated.

22

Also thou shalt take of the ram the fat and the rump, and the fat that covereth the inwards, and the caul above the liver, and the two kidneys, and the fat that is upon them, and the right shoulder; for it is a ram of consecration:

Also, you will take from the ram the fat and the tail, and the fat covering its guts, and the liver and the two kidneys and the fat above them, and the right thigh. This is because the ram is for consecration.

23

And one loaf of bread, and one cake of oiled bread, and one wafer out of the basket of the unleavened bread that is before the LORD:

And one loaf of bread, and one cake of oiled bread, and one cracker out of the basket of the unleavened bread that is to the LORD:

24

And thou shalt put all in the hands of Aaron, and in the hands of his sons; and shalt wave them for a wave offering before the LORD.

And you will put all in the hands of Aaron, and in the hands of his sons, and you will wave them as a wave offering to the LORD.

25

And thou shalt receive them of their hands, and burn them upon the altar for a burnt offering, for a sweet savour before the LORD: it is an offering made by fire unto the LORD.

And you will take them from their hands, and burn them on the altar as an offering, as its scent is pleasing for the LORD. This is an offering by fire to the LORD

26

And thou shalt take the breast of the ram of Aaron's consecration, and wave it for a wave offering before the LORD: and it shall be thy part.

And you will take the chest of the ram Aaron consecrated, and wave it as a wave offering to the LORD, and it will be yours to eat.

27

And thou shalt sanctify the breast of the wave offering, and the shoulder of the heave offering, which is waved, and which is heaved up, of the ram of the consecration, even of that which is for Aaron, and of that which is for his sons:

And you will bless the chest of the wave offering, and the thigh of the raised offering which was waved and was raised from the ram of the consecration, from the one of Aaron and the one of his sons.

28

And it shall be Aaron's and his sons' by a statute for ever from the children of Israel: for it is an heave offering: and it shall be an heave offering from the children of Israel of the sacrifice of their peace offerings, even their heave offering unto the LORD.

It will belong to Aaron and his sons for all eternity from the Sons of Israel, since this is a raised offering. It will be a raised offering from the Sons of Israel from the sacrifices of their peace offerings and even from the raised offerings to the LORD.

29

And the holy garments of Aaron shall be his sons' after him, to be anointed therein, and to be consecrated in them.

And the holy clothes of Aaron will go to his sons after him. They will be anointed and will consecrate in them.

30

And that son that is priest in his stead shall put them on seven days, when he cometh into the tabernacle of the congregation to minister in the holy place.

The son of his who is a priest will wear them for seven days when he will come to the tabernacle of the congregation to serve in the holy place.

31

And thou shalt take the ram of the consecration, and seethe his flesh in the holy place.

And you will take the consecrated ram and roast it in the holy place.

32

And Aaron and his sons shall eat the flesh of the ram, and the bread that is in the basket, by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

Aaron and his sons will eat the ram and bread that is in the basket, the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

33

And they shall eat those things wherewith the atonement was made, to consecrate and to sanctify them: but a stranger shall not eat thereof, because they are holy.

34

And if ought of the flesh of the consecrations, or of the bread, remain unto the morning, then thou shalt burn the remainder with fire: it shall not be eaten, because it is holy.

35

And thus shalt thou do unto Aaron, and to his sons, according to all things which I have commanded thee: seven days shalt thou consecrate them.

36

And thou shalt offer every day a bullock for a sin offering for atonement: and thou shalt cleanse the altar, when thou hast made an atonement for it, and thou shalt anoint it, to sanctify it.

37

Seven days thou shalt make an atonement for the altar, and sanctify it; and it shall be an altar most holy: whatsoever toucheth the altar shall be holy.

38

Now this is that which thou shalt offer upon the altar; two lambs of the first year day by day continually.

39

The one lamb thou shalt offer in the morning; and the other lamb thou shalt offer at even:

40

And with the one lamb a tenth deal of flour mingled with the fourth part of an hin of beaten oil; and the fourth part of an hin of wine for a drink offering.

41

And the other lamb thou shalt offer at even, and shalt do thereto according to the meat offering of the morning, and according to the drink offering thereof, for a sweet savour, an offering made by fire unto the LORD.

42

This shall be a continual burnt offering throughout your generations at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD: where I will meet you, to speak there unto thee.

43

And there I will meet with the children of Israel, and the tabernacle shall be sanctified by my glory.

44

And I will sanctify the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar: I will sanctify also both Aaron and his sons, to minister to me in the priest's office.

45

And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God.

46

And they shall know that I am the LORD their God, that brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, that I may dwell among them: I am the LORD their God.

Chapter 30

Verse

King James Version

Proposed Conservative Translation

Analysis

1

And thou shalt make an altar to burn incense upon: of shittim wood shalt thou make it.

2

A cubit shall be the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof; foursquare shall it be: and two cubits shall be the height thereof: the horns thereof shall be of the same.

3

And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, the top thereof, and the sides thereof round about, and the horns thereof; and thou shalt make unto it a crown of gold round about.

4

And two golden rings shalt thou make to it under the crown of it, by the two corners thereof, upon the two sides of it shalt thou make it; and they shall be for places for the staves to bear it withal.

5

And thou shalt make the staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold.

6

And thou shalt put it before the vail that is by the ark of the testimony, before the mercy seat that is over the testimony, where I will meet with thee.

7

And Aaron shall burn thereon sweet incense every morning: when he dresseth the lamps, he shall burn incense upon it.

8

And when Aaron lighteth the lamps at even, he shall burn incense upon it, a perpetual incense before the LORD throughout your generations.

And Aaron shall make an atonement upon the horns of it once in a year with the blood of the sin offering of atonements: once in the year shall he make atonement upon it throughout your generations: it is most holy unto the LORD.

11

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

12

When thou takest the sum of the children of Israel after their number, then shall they give every man a ransom for his soul unto the LORD, when thou numberest them; that there be no plague among them, when thou numberest them.

13

This they shall give, every one that passeth among them that are numbered, half a shekel after the shekel of the sanctuary: (a shekel is twenty gerahs:) an half shekel shall be the offering of the LORD.

14

Every one that passeth among them that are numbered, from twenty years old and above, shall give an offering unto the LORD.

15

The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel, when they give an offering unto the LORD, to make an atonement for your souls.

16

And thou shalt take the atonement money of the children of Israel, and shalt appoint it for the service of the tabernacle of the congregation; that it may be a memorial unto the children of Israel before the LORD, to make an atonement for your souls.

17

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

18

Thou shalt also make a laver of brass, and his foot also of brass, to wash withal: and thou shalt put it between the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar, and thou shalt put water therein.

19

For Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet thereat:

20

When they go into the tabernacle of the congregation, they shall wash with water, that they die not; or when they come near to the altar to minister, to burn offering made by fire unto the LORD:

21

So they shall wash their hands and their feet, that they die not: and it shall be a statute for ever to them, even to him and to his seed throughout their generations.

22

Moreover the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

23

Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet cinnamon half so much, even two hundred and fifty shekels, and of sweet calamus two hundred and fifty shekels,

24

And of cassia five hundred shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, and of oil olive an hin:

25

And thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary: it shall be an holy anointing oil.

26

And thou shalt anoint the tabernacle of the congregation therewith, and the ark of the testimony,

27

And the table and all his vessels, and the candlestick and his vessels, and the altar of incense,

28

And the altar of burnt offering with all his vessels, and the laver and his foot.

29

And thou shalt sanctify them, that they may be most holy: whatsoever toucheth them shall be holy.

30

And thou shalt anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office.

31

And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, This shall be an holy anointing oil unto me throughout your generations.

32

Upon man's flesh shall it not be poured, neither shall ye make any other like it, after the composition of it: it is holy, and it shall be holy unto you.

33

Whosoever compoundeth any like it, or whosoever putteth any of it upon a stranger, shall even be cut off from his people.

34

And the LORD said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight:

35

And thou shalt make it a perfume, a confection after the art of the apothecary, tempered together, pure and holy:

36

And thou shalt beat some of it very small, and put of it before the testimony in the tabernacle of the congregation, where I will meet with thee: it shall be unto you most holy.

37

And as for the perfume which thou shalt make, ye shall not make to yourselves according to the composition thereof: it shall be unto thee holy for the LORD.

38

Whosoever shall make like unto that, to smell thereto, shall even be cut off from his people.

Chapter 31

Verse

King James Version

Proposed Conservative Translation

Analysis

1

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

2

See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah:

3

And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,

4

To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,

5

And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship.

6

And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan: and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee;

7

The tabernacle of the congregation, and the ark of the testimony, and the mercy seat that is thereupon, and all the furniture of the tabernacle,

8

And the table and his furniture, and the pure candlestick with all his furniture, and the altar of incense,

9

And the altar of burnt offering with all his furniture, and the laver and his foot,

10

And the cloths of service, and the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, to minister in the priest's office,

11

And the anointing oil, and sweet incense for the holy place: according to all that I have commanded thee shall they do.

12

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

13

Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you.

14

Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people.

15

Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.

16

Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant.

17

It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.

18

And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.

Chapter 32

Verse

King James Version

Proposed Conservative Translation

Analysis

1

And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.

2

And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earrings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me.

3

And all the people brake off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron.

4

And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.

5

And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, To morrow is a feast to the LORD.

6

And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.

7

And the LORD said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves:

8

They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.

9

And the LORD said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people:

10

Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation.

11

And Moses besought the LORD his God, and said, LORD, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand?

12

Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people.

13

Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever.

14

And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.

15

And Moses turned, and went down from the mount, and the two tables of the testimony were in his hand: the tables were written on both their sides; on the one side and on the other were they written.

16

And the tables were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, graven upon the tables.

17

And when Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said unto Moses, There is a noise of war in the camp.

18

And he said, It is not the voice of them that shout for mastery, neither is it the voice of them that cry for being overcome: but the noise of them that sing do I hear.

19

And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses' anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount.

20

And he took the calf which they had made, and burnt it in the fire, and ground it to powder, and strawed it upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink of it.

21

And Moses said unto Aaron, What did this people unto thee, that thou hast brought so great a sin upon them?

22

And Aaron said, Let not the anger of my lord wax hot: thou knowest the people, that they are set on mischief.

23

For they said unto me, Make us gods, which shall go before us: for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.

24

And I said unto them, Whosoever hath any gold, let them break it off. So they gave it me: then I cast it into the fire, and there came out this calf.

25

And when Moses saw that the people were naked; (for Aaron had made them naked unto their shame among their enemies:)

26

Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the LORD's side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him.

27

And he said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Put every man his sword by his side, and go in and out from gate to gate throughout the camp, and slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbour.

28

And the children of Levi did according to the word of Moses: and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men.

29

For Moses had said, Consecrate yourselves to day to the LORD, even every man upon his son, and upon his brother; that he may bestow upon you a blessing this day.

30

And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses said unto the people, Ye have sinned a great sin: and now I will go up unto the LORD; peradventure I shall make an atonement for your sin.

31

And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold.

32

Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin -- ; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.

33

And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.

34

Therefore now go, lead the people unto the place of which I have spoken unto thee: behold, mine Angel shall go before thee: nevertheless in the day when I visit I will visit their sin upon them.

35

And the LORD plagued the people, because they made the calf, which Aaron made.

Chapter 33

Verse

King James Version

Proposed Conservative Translation

Analysis

1

And the LORD said unto Moses, Depart, and go up hence, thou and the people which thou hast brought up out of the land of Egypt, unto the land which I sware unto Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, Unto thy seed will I give it:

2

And I will send an angel before thee; and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite:

3

Unto a land flowing with milk and honey: for I will not go up in the midst of thee; for thou art a stiffnecked people: lest I consume thee in the way.

4

And when the people heard these evil tidings, they mourned: and no man did put on him his ornaments.

5

For the LORD had said unto Moses, Say unto the children of Israel, Ye are a stiffnecked people: I will come up into the midst of thee in a moment, and consume thee: therefore now put off thy ornaments from thee, that I may know what to do unto thee.

6

And the children of Israel stripped themselves of their ornaments by the mount Horeb.

7

And Moses took the tabernacle, and pitched it without the camp, afar off from the camp, and called it the Tabernacle of the congregation. And it came to pass, that every one which sought the LORD went out unto the tabernacle of the congregation, which was without the camp.

8

And it came to pass, when Moses went out unto the tabernacle, that all the people rose up, and stood every man at his tent door, and looked after Moses, until he was gone into the tabernacle.

9

And it came to pass, as Moses entered into the tabernacle, the cloudy pillar descended, and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the LORD talked with Moses.

10

And all the people saw the cloudy pillar stand at the tabernacle door: and all the people rose up and worshipped, every man in his tent door.

11

And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.

12

And Moses said unto the LORD, See, thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people: and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me. Yet thou hast said, I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in my sight.

13

Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people.

14

And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.

15

And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.

16

For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth.

17

And the LORD said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.

18

And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.

19

And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.

20

And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.

21

And the LORD said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock:

22

And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by:

23

And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen.